The Nuisance of Pantry Moths

This is something I know about all too well.  It has been years, but when I lived in Texas, I struggled with pantry moths.  I used to buy things in bulk from the natural food store, and I didn't know that sometimes those items come with pantry moth eggs and/or larvae.  I unknowingly put these items in my pantry, and before long, I began to see rather strange bugs flying around in my pantry.  I killed the bugs I saw, but I didn't know I had an infestation.  

As I began to research the best way to deal with these annoying pests, I discovered 

pantry moth traps.  They are the easiest and safest way to get rid of these moths.  The pheromone traps attract the male, and one he lands on the trap, he can't get away.  He is unable to find a female, and so he is unable to mate, and the female cannot lay eggs.  Thus, the infestation is put to an end.

Chipolte Ranch Pasta Salad from Plentiful Pantry Review and Giveaway (ends 3/25) U.S (Closed).

I had the great chance to review this fantastic Chipolte Ranch Pasta Salad from Plentiful Pantry.  I had never heard of this company previously, but their website is full of fantastic quick meals, pasta, and dessert mixes.  


Here is a description of the pasta salad mix:


Classic ranch flavor with a new twist! We kicked up the flavor in this pasta salad with a little heat and a lot of attitude. Keep it simple by tossing the dressing and pasta together, or add red bell pepper, red onion, and chicken for a wonderful "South of the Border" taste.

This could not have come at a better time.  We had a church potluck coming up, and amazingly, we had everything that was needed to make this.  I did follow the simple instructions, but in addition to the chicken, milk, and mayonnaise I had to add (and some peppers, too), I added some crispy bacon to it.

It was not too spicy at all.  We could have added the little tobasco sauce that came with it, but since I was taking it to church, I tried to be mindful of the fact that not everyone likes things spicy.  My mom and I both loved it, and we didn't have much to bring home!  So I would say it was a hit, and it was so easy to make.

Now for your chance to win the same pasta mix that I reviewed.  Please  place all your entries in the rafflecopter form below by 9 P.M. Pacific Time on March 25.  And it is only open to U.S. bloggers (sorry!).  

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Meal Plan (1/8-1/14) Pantry Challenge Has Begun!

As I promised, I am definitely doing a pantry challenge.  And it begins this week.  I went through and listed a few things I needed to get rid of, and I did!

Meal 1:

Hamburger Helper Lasanga
I will add a green salad to this.

Meal 2:
Banquet Creamy Turkey and Stuffing (from a box)
I will add veggies to the stuffing.  We will have some cranberry sauce and this green bean casserole recipe:

Holiday Green Bean Casserole

Meal 3:

16-Bean Soup (I'm going to add some tomato juice to it!)

Some kind of roll or biscuits

Meal 4:

Awesome Baked Ham

I have some Betty Crocker sour cream potatoes to use up.

I think we will also have this recipe:

Collard Greens With Bacon
I plan to use kale.  We love that stuff!

And for dessert:
Copycat Hungry Girl's Guiltfree Peanut Butter Fudge

My shopping list should be pretty good this week!  We don't have to get too much, and we are using things that really need to be used up!

Solution Sunday--An Update on the Challenges I Am Joining This Year

Well, here we go again.  A new year, and I have cut back tremendously on the amount of challenges I am doing.  Last year, I overextended myself, and I was not as committed to my goals and my blog as I am this year.



I am definitely doing this challenge this year.  I am doing the challenges I listed, and beginning next Sunday, I will link up with them. on their site.

In addition to this challenge, I have two book challenges I am doing this year.  Actually three.  My goal this year is to read 50 books, and I will be keeping track on goodreads.  When I update it, I will put a link here on my blog.

The Just-For-Fun Reading Challenge 2012 is one I am definitely doing.  Read this post for the information.  The first book I will be reading for this challenge (hopefully) is:

The Hunger Games

My second official book challenge.  You can read about it here.  My goal is to make it Level 3--DVD.  Goodness!  That means that I will half to read about half of my books as e-books.  We will see what happens.  Here's hoping!

One more challenge--I did it last year, too.

This challenge is really only for the month of January, but I hope to extend it throughout the entire year, if I can help it.  Here is where you can find the info:
Pantry Challenge

I will officially start this at the end of this week when I decide on the meals for the week.  My goals are as follows:

1.  Create a current pantry list each month.
2.  Use at least five things on the list each month.
3.  If there is something that is in the pantry for more than six months, and I have no plans at all to use it, it will be thrown.

I really think I can do all of this.  I will be looking for other challenges throughout this week, but for the most part, this should take care of it.  And here's hoping I will accomplish these goals!

Lovable Labels Pantry Labels (Ends 8/7) (Closed)

Well, I have been cleaning my room, and I have found a couple gems that I won and was then unable to use.  This is the first of those.

I will be giving away a complete, unopened, unused set of pantry labels from Lovable Labels.  These labels are great--I have some others of theirs--and these labels are fantastic!  They are dishwasher and microwave safe. Here is the list of exactly what labels are included in this pack:
http://www.lovablelabels.ca/Images/Upload/Pantry%20Labels/Pantry%20Labels%20List.pdf

Why did I not use them?  We have a "blended" family--3 households put into 1.  We just can't use these.  If it had been just my daughter and me, we might have.  The nice thing is that you now have a chance to win them for yourself!  Giveaway ends 9 P.M. Pacific Time on August 8, and it is open internationally.

Satisfied Saturday--A Small Change in Themes

I realize that Friday and Saturday sometimes don't work as I have them laid out.  Sometimes, Friday is not conducive to planning out meals.  It got me thinking this morning.  I think I am going to have the option of having a Satisfied Saturday and a Free-Wheeling Friday on those weeks that meal planning happens on Saturday instead of Friday.  And that is exactly what I am doing today.

This is going to be in line with the pantry challenge!

I need to use the following items:
1.  Hawaiian marinade (bottled)
2.  shake n' bake
3.  cornflake crumbs
4.  peach preserves
5.  molasses

And my mom has asked for me to make a cabbage rolls recipe.

So here goes.

Today was easy because I thought we had gourmet sauce still (but I discovered it was gone!!).  So I found the Hawaiian marinade, and I put it in with some chicken.  I will be going to get some stir-fry veggies and making  some rice.

Here is that cabbage rolls recipe--sounds good!!  I think it is just what my mom wanted.

We have some plain yogurt that needs be used up, and shake n bake is also used in this next recipe, so it's great!  Greek Chicken.  And I just must have these zucchini fritters to accompany it!  We'll have a salad too.

Really easy, this one is!  Pork Chops in Corn Flake Crumbs!  I'll have some creamed corn and some other veggies with this.

Wasn't sure I would find something, but I did!  I am going to make this Hawaiian Sausage and Rice Bake.  I am going to use peach preserves instead of pineapple preserves.

And last but not least, here is a cookie recipe I am going to make using molasses:  WWII Oatmeal Molasses Cookies.

I know I need to be of more help to my mom and Martin this week, so I will mix up the dinner for the following day  the night before so all someone will need to do is pop it in the oven or something like that.  I hope that everyone is okay with these recipes.  I know Martin does not always like my concoctions.  But I get bored with his meat, potatoes, meat, potatoes, bread, sausage, greasy diet!  He is better than he used to be, but certainly not there yet.

Enjoy.  By the way, my recipes from last week were really good!!

And I am linking up with Org Junkie to promote the website Say Mmm.  Check out the site.  I have added the grocery list for one of my recipes to give it a try.

Printable grocery list for cabbage rolls.

Fortified Friday: Queen of the Castle Week 2/Pantry Challenge

I'm killing two birds with one stone.  Two challenges in one post.  So here goes.

So this week is a week of celebrating how hard homemakers work and how little value society puts on it.  Well, I definitely agree.  When I look at stay-at-home moms who homeschool and take care of their kids and don't lose their minds, I am amazed.  I could never do it.  At one time, I thought I could.  I got a taste of it this summer, and my daughter and I both went crazy!  I agree with the author that women often get themselves too scheduled and they neglect their families.  That is something I certainly try not to do.  I used to really get involved with all sorts of other things, but now I have cut out a lot of things.  I like being able to spend time with my daughter, and I also know that I need time to myself.  I can't give up either of those.  While my job often takes me away from my home, I have no choice and probably will never be a stay-at-home mom.  But it's okay.  I think the part where she talks about comparing yourself to another homemaker was good.  We don't need to do that.  We need to celebrate our strengths and not worry that our house is not as nice as the lady down the street.  God has gifted us, and He enables us to use those as we are able.

Now to the pantry challenge!  I finally have some recipes to post!

I made the decision that I would go through our pantry and list about 5-6 things I wanted to use up this week.  I just can't get too overwhelmed or I'll stop the challenge altogether.  So here we go.

I will be using:
1.  prepared sugar-free chocolate pudding
2.  can of golden mushroom soup
3.  bottle of gourmet sauce
4.  cream cheese
5.  bottle of honey mustard dressing
6.  tater tots

So what I did was look specifically online for easy recipes using these.  And sure enough, here is what I found.

1.  Chocolate cream cheese dessert
(The recipe is the third one down, I think.)

2. Campbell's Golden Mushroom Pork Chops
(I might make this tomorrow.)

3.  Yoshida's Gourmet Chicken
(We have had an almost empty bottle of this in the fridge for too long!)

4.  Holiday Beef Roast
(So what if the holidays are over?  I could make this for MLK day on Monday!)

5.  Healthier Tater Tot Casserole
(Isn't it nice to know that tater tots are not completely unhealthy?)

Okay, so there we go.  I'll let you know how everything goes this week!